Gilles Verbraeken (pictured above, right) is one of the most influential operators in the padel industry, having worked at Playtomic and MATCHi and now specialising in club and academy management with Braekie Padel Solutions, focusing on technology integration and sustainable practices.
Gilles gives The Padel Paper his top five takeaways for investors and padel club managers following the Padel World Summit in Malaga, where he was a keynote speaker.
1. Integrating padel into multi-sport facilities and resorts
Incorporating padel into multi-sport environments attracts a diverse range of athletes and visitors, enhancing the facility’s appeal. There are ways to maximise the benefits of integration through facility design and operational management.
2. Harmony among racket sports
Tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, pickleball, beach tennis, platform tennis, and padel can successfully coexist by promoting synergies and cross-promotion.
Creating a vibrant sporting community through collaborative events and cross-sport engagement was highlighted as a key strategy.
3. Innovative business models
A hybrid model of pay-and-play and membership options caters to various customer preferences and increases revenue streams.
Leveraging local business partnerships can also boost visibility and create additional value for members.
4. The Future of padel academies
Notable emerging trends include specialized training programmes and the use of cutting-edge facilities. The global evolution of padel academies focuses on adapting and thriving in this competitive field.
A dedicated session in Malaga featured insights from top coaches and academy managers, emphasising the importance of structured training and international collaboration.
5. Sustainable practices
Implementing sustainability initiatives, such as using renewable energy sources and reducing waste, attracts environmentally-conscious players and leads to cost savings. Sustainable practices are crucial for the long-term success and reputation of padel clubs.
- As an added bonus, we also got further reflections from Padel 22 founder Ben Nichols (left) who was another guest speaker in Malaga.
Ben tells us: “The Padel World Summit was firstly interesting because it marked the first time the ‘old padel world’ (Spain and Latin America) had joined with the sport’s emerging markets. The Asian nations were particularly well represented as was the US. I spoke to many investors and companies who told me unsolicited that they were doubling down on setting up in America. It won’t be long before padel is massive in the States.
“The investor forum at the Summit, which had a Dragons’ Den-style format, was a real success. I imagine a lot of deals and partnerships were made afterwards!
“The role of tech in getting four people on court together and ‘gameifying’ padel with video highlights etc is set to play a big role, if the expo was anything to go by.
“My final takeaway was a ‘warm fuzzy moment’ when the big tours got around the table – possibly for the first time – and there was a spirit of collaboration between the likes of Hexagon Cup, Premier Padel and Pro Padel League. It showed that these tournaments could work together to grow the sport.”
